Hello all

[lifepassesby]

Greetings forum. Well, I have been reading some of the previous threads and it is strange how many people out there share my career change thoughts/feelings. I, like many others, am seriously considering returning to school for either an ADN or Assoc in Radiography or Nuc Med. I have enrolled in a summer school science pre-req.

I have spent my whole career in business and trust me when I say this - I no longer derive any pleasure in it. I feel like my job is meaningless. I am bored by it. And most of all, the corporate environment is toxic.

I have decided that I am more than willing to trade my salary for a more enjoyable career. Three things are important to me: 1) I want to gain skills I can take anywhere in the country and have a job 2) I want to feel good about what I do 3) I want to be challenged everyday.

When trying to decide which path to take, I have to be honest with you all and myself. I am not sure how I would come across as a nurse. I kind of have a serious demeanor when I have a job to do. It is not that I don't care, it is just my worker mentality. Some people see my lack of emotion as cold. I also wonder how I will react if a patient or doctor rubs me the wrong way. I mean, nurses are supposed to have thick skin and supposed to be able to put on that caring smile. I just kind of worry about those personality traits and how it might come into play.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Sorry for the long post.

Regards,

LPB

[cougarnurse]

:waving: Hi, LPB! Welcome to the site!

I think that your demeanor would be perfectly fine. Would show the 'offending' doctor that you are serious. Yet, I believe you would still be able to show the patient some compassion, too.

Drop by often, and let us know how your coursework is going......many of us were there at one time!

'Cat'

[NavyJim58]

Hello Lifepassesby and welcome to the forum. I understand "serious demeanor" and your concern about people "rubbing you the wrong way" as I was concerned about that also. I switched careers to nursing later in life as well and I was concerned about becoming a nurse. As it turned out there were times that my "professional demeanor" and serious outlook on nursing was taken for being cold and impersonal but those who count and know me realize I do care about patients. I consider myself a professional and not a task oriented worker bee. I have never had a problem with a physician as they appreciate the serious professional side of me. I also "talk up" when there is a problem or issue and communicate effectively and I think someone coming from the business community can bring a log of good traits into nursing. :luck:

[lifepassesby]

Thanks for the welcome and sharing your experiences. Good to know my seriousness isn't a show stopper.

NJ -

Did you spend some time in the Navy prior to becoming a nurse or did you spend some time as a Navy nurse? I have heard from some military nurses and their opportunities have been phenomenal - not to mention the benefits.

[NavyJim58]

Thanks for the welcome and sharing your experiences. Good to know my seriousness isn't a show stopper.

NJ -

Did you spend some time in the Navy prior to becoming a nurse or did you spend some time as a Navy nurse? I have heard from some military nurses and their opportunities have been phenomenal - not to mention the benefits.

When the Russians gave up on the cold war my job in the Navy went away. I had already become an RN preparing for the day i would need a second career. The Navy needed nurses so I switched to Nursing and stayed Navy. I would recommend the Navy and Navy Nursing as a great life and career.